Field ManualAll plants

Seashore paspalum
Paspalum vaginatum
Family: Poaceae
Pet & Human Safety
People: No hazard foundPets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them
Not listed by ASPCA or NC State as toxic or non-toxic to pets; no page was found for either source.
PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.
Poison control
If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.
Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.
Naturalist Lore
Historical Background & Breeding Lore
The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.
Get the app: coming soonCare
- Hardiness zones
Not checked yet
- Light
UF/IFAS: poor shade tolerance, but it can withstand extended periods of low light. Texas A&M rates shade tolerance low.
- Water needs
moderate
- Mature size
Wild plants: stems to 30 inches tall, leaf blades to 6 inches long and to 3/8 inch wide (UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants). Lawn plants are mowed: Texas A&M gives 0.5 to 1.0 inch.
How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.
Get the app: coming soonAnatomy & Guilds
Botanical Anatomy & Characteristics
How the flowers and leaves are built and which pollinators visit, where we have them.
Get the app: coming soonField Doctor
Field Doctor
What can go wrong with this plant and what to do about it, where we have them.
Get the app: coming soonVintage Plates
Vintage Plates
Old botanical drawings from public libraries are in the app, for plants where we have them.
Get the app: coming soonSources
- UF/IFAS EDIS, Florida Turfgrass Identification (ENH1382/EP646)
- UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, Plant Directory: Paspalum vaginatum
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Turfgrass Selection for Texas (L-5519)
- Junta de Andalucia (Consejeria de Agricultura y Pesca), Manejo de cespedes
- Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP) name file, dated 2026-06-04